SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has taken up a number of PILs on the progress of roads in parts of the state and directed for their early completion.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice H S Thangkhiew, while taking up a pending PIL, said the Commissioner and Secretary, Forest and Environment had filed an affidavit on February 19 stating that requisite funds have been released for repair of the road starting from Hatisia to Helipad (old) at Balpakram Plateau and work is to be commenced once the proposal is sanctioned by the Empowered Sanctioning Committee.
There is an element of uncertainty that needs to be removed by filing a fresh affidavit wherein it will be stated from which date the process for repair works vis-à-vis the road will be started. The chief engineer of PWD Roads and National Highway has filed an affidavit stating that for the damaged portion of the road starting from Wahkdait to Dawki for 7 km, resurfacing work has been completed on December 31.
Also, resurfacing work for 18 km of the damaged portion of the road starting from 7th Mile to Pynursla has also been completed on the same day.
It was further stated that in addition to 7 km from Wahkdait to Dawki after noticing severe damage in the portion beyond Dawki — from junction of Dawki-Amlarem-Jowai road and Shillong-Tamabil Road for 1 km up to the international border at Tamabil, rebuilding of the pavement by providing Water Bound Macadam (WBM) has been initiated and resurfacing work is likely to be taken up soon and will be completed by March 15 with the assistance of police for traffic management.
Borkhat to Sonapur road
Another PIL moved by Kynjaimon Amse, a border resident, was also taken up.
Regarding the road from Borkhat to Sonapur, a detailed project report (DPR) was stated to have been prepared which was to be considered by the North Eastern Council (NEC) which, according to the government, has not been finalised.
Additional senior government advocate submitted that NEC has noted certain deficiencies in the DPR and two weeks’ time may be granted for filing the latest status.
Taking up another PIL, the court wanted to know about the progress of work on the road starting from Dabiggre (total length of 29 km) in Garo Hills positively by or before March 15.
According to counsel N Mozika appearing for the contractor, 88 per cent of metalling work and 83 per cent of carpeting work is complete. Work is in progress and will be completed by March 31.
Another road was from Kharukol (total length of 16 km) which was to be completed by January 31 without fail but that has not happened and an application for extension of time up to October 8 was sought.
The court, however, extended time for only three months.
The court also said regarding the road from Dangsa-Awe (91 km to 104 km), the work has been completed.
Paikan-Tura road
The contractor was to complete the work from Paikan to Bajengdoba and Bajengdoba to Tura by the end of January. The counsel appearing for the contractor stated that 80 per cent of the work has been completed and balance work will be completed by March 31.
The court extended time and ordered the contractor that in case of any default, action warranted under the law will be initiated against him.
Earlier, the court had also issued a direction regarding the stretch of road starting from Dainadubi (8.6 km to 91 km) and periodic renewal of the road surface from 44 km to 55 km.
The contractor was to ensure completion of work without fail by or before January 31.
According to the counsel appearing for the contractor, work has been completed except that of a slab-bridge which is in progress and will be completed by March 15.
The court, in view of the progress and assurance for ensuring completion of the slab-bridge by or before March 15, extended the deadline with a condition that no further extension will be sought by the contractor.
